讽刺剧 (fěng cì jù) is a noun meaning 'satirical play' — a theatrical work that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize social behaviors, political systems, or human flaws. The three characters combine meaningfully: 讽 (fěng) means 'to mock gently or indirectly', 刺 (cì) means 'to poke' or 'to expose sharply', and 剧 (jù) means 'play' or 'drama'. Together, they convey the idea of a dramatic performance that 'pokes fun at' or 'sharply exposes' societal issues in an artistic, often witty way.

This term is commonly used in literary criticism, theater studies, and cultural discussions. While it can refer to classical Chinese forms like certain Ming-Qing dynasty zaju or modern spoken drama, it also applies to contemporary stage productions influenced by Western satire. Unlike mere comedy, a 讽刺剧 carries intentional social commentary — its humor serves a critical purpose, not just entertainment.